Happy Anniversary !! 12 yrs of wedded bliss :)

Well, this past weekend was mine and Russ' 12 yr wedding anniversary! WOW, doesnt seem likes its been that long, I still remember the nervous quivers in my stomach, right as I was getting ready to walk down that aisle, my flowers were shaking all over the place, and I still recall what my dad said, right at the last minute, "I dont look at this as losing a daughter, but more like gaining grandchildren"...Ha Ha, just like my dad to lighten the mood, cuz I was a bundle of nerves at that point, but that definitely put me at ease...Well, the wedding day went great, everything was PERFECT....

Fast forward 12 yrs....You know, its amazing what all you can accomplish in just 10 yrs or so, I teased Russ one time, saying, we got married, had 3 children, built a house, and traded at LEAST 7-10 cars in that period of time....LOL....He agreed w/me....Well, THIS anniversary, we went to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge to spend our weekend....First off, I apparently didnt get that great of a hotel, was kinda old fashioned, but CLEAN...as long as its clean, I dont care HOW old it is...but was still nice :)....We had reservations for The Peddler (and for those of you who know about Ye Olde Steakhouse, the Peddler is right up there w/it). Well, our reservation wasnt til 8p, so we decided to go to Calhouns for an appetizer, and everyone that knows me, knows we eat at the Lonas house by 5 or 6p during school time...so I was STARVING by then...Well, 7p rolled around, and Russ and I decided since we were already there, and were hungry, we'd just stay and eat at Calhouns..lol...so needless to say, we saved an extra $50 that night, and STILL got to eat Prime Rib! You cant get much better than that...:)....We walked up and down the Gatlingburg strip and assumed we were getting "old" in our married life, when we decided to walk back to our hotel room at 9p, following behind the 60yrs+ crowd in front of us...lol...I guess we ARE getting old...All in all, it was a fun weekend..I love you honey, and cant wait to spend 12 more yrs of "bliss"..:))

Don't Cave In

This was my Journey women's devotional for today...It spoke VOLUMES for me, I really needed to hear this...And I really NEED to be reminded DAILY to "Pray WITHOUT ceasing"...Afterall, doesnt God command us to do so?? I hope you get as much out of this, as I did..

"Jesus told them a parable on the need for them to pray ALWAYS and not become discouraged." (Luke 18:1)

A woman once came to Jesus with a desperate plea for Him to rescue her daughter from demon possession. And Jesus, who was always compassionate, didnt answer her. But she kept asking. Finally, Jesus told her that since she was a Canaanite and not an Isrealite, she was really outside the scope of His ministry right then. When He suggested that helping her would be like taking Isreals food and giving it to the dogs, she said, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table" (Matt 15:27). Jesus answered by calling this "great faith". Then He did exactly what she had been asking-all because she had enough faith to be persistent.

Desperation and persistence are given as examples of how to pray with GREAT faith. Hannah was completely desperate before God, and He gave her a child (1 Samuel 1). Even Jesus offered "prayers and appeals, with loud cries and tears" (Hebrews 5:7). Something about our deep desperation and stubborn persistence MOVES God to action.

So if you gave up on praying about something because you assumed God hasnt answered, THINK AGAIN. Scripture ENCOURAGES you to pray AGAIN and AGAIN. The examples in the Bible seem to indicate that God might NOT answer if you dont follow your requests all the way through to the end.

Alot happens when you pray this way. Your faith gets clearer, and God may help you adjust your request until it fits His will. But alot also happens outside of you when you pray this way. God is MOVED by your persistence and your intensity. When you pray and nothing happens, thats an invitation to KEEP praying and not a sign to stop! As Jesus said, pray and dont give up.

Father teach me to be persistent in prayer and to trust You with the timing and the results.

FUN WITH EMMA GRACE :))

We were alittle bored one morning and I decided to ask my 2 yr old a few random ??'s....Enjoy...

Where's the moon?---"At my house"

How old is Mommy?---"2"

Who's the president of the United States?--"Jakie" (Jake)

How many legs does a dog have?-- "5"

Whats your favorite food?-- "green"

Whats your favorite cartoon?--" Um, t.v."

Whats your favorite dessert?-- "popcorn"

Where do you like to go?--- "that way"

What did you do at the park yesterday?--"I not hit boys"

Whats the best thing about being 2 yrs old?--"the beach"

As you can see, I was giggling all morning, it was a fun day :)) LOVE my Emma Grace.

BOOMSDAY-2010

Well, it was that time of year again for the awesome display of loud, booming fireworks for all to see at Labor Day..Every year, Knoxville holds a "Boomsday" celebration complete w/hot dog vendors, various radio DJ's, and a MILLION people venturing out on Neyland Dr in Downtown K-town, to witness the most spectacular fireworks show EVER!!

We had a blast!! We met up w/our friends, The Keebles, and faught the crowd to get to a good spot, and boy did we!! Russ works for Knox County, so we got to park at the City Co bldg for FREE!! And got some great seats along w/it...The fireworks show started and, if you've never been to a "real" fireworks show (and I dont mean your neighbors in the backyard shooting 3 or 4 at a time), I mean several HUNDRED going off at once and the booming SO LOUD you can feel it pumping your chest, THATS the show you want to be at!!


So, fireworks lasted about 30-40 min, we started to pack up our things and head to the van, said goodbye to the Keebles and went on our way. We all got in the van, seatbelts fastened, pulling out, and then we literally went about 10 ft, thats the last thing I recall, because after that, we were so tired all we really wanted to do was GO HOME!! The Knoxville Police had our parking garage blocked off for "street" traffic for 1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES!!! It was pretty ridiculous, it took us 2 hours to get home, what would normally only be a 35-40 min drive....And for those of you who know my husband, we also had 2 of Audrey's friends in the back laughing and carrying on, so to recap, thats 5 KIDS....needless to say, we FINALLY got outta there, and got home, but it was a most memorable Boomsday for us...

Count your blessings...name them one by one

"HE is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am the tree...Then all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory, then I realize just how beautiful YOU are and how Great your affections are for me,,Oh, How HE loves us...."


God has a way with me, sometimes, that just makes me remember He is STILL there and that no matter what my "plans" are, the timing is NEVER as important as His.....His timing with HIS plans are PERFECT....so, what I thought I'd do today is post some of my favorite promises of scripture, as a reminder, we HAVE a God who adores us, we HAVE more blessings than we can count, and we HAVE the most wonderful blessing to look forward to....Our eternal home of Heaven...We love you Lord and thank you for all that you are, and your reminder to just "Be still" and know you are God........

"No eye has seen, No ear has heard, and No mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him" 1 Corinthians 2:9

"What is impossible with men, is possible with God" Luke 18:27

"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives,he who seeks finds and to him who knocks, the door will be open" Matthew 7:7-8

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28

"Let the little children come to me,and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these" Matthew 19:14